Unit 1: I learned a lot from...
– Asking about significant experiences
– Talking about important events
Part 1
Vocabulary
Look at the phrases below. Check each thing that has happened to you in the last five years.
_______ overcome an obstacle
_______ get into (a new interest)
_______ have a setback
_______ have an/the opportunity to
(do something you wanted to do)
_______ face a challenge
_______ make a change
_______ make the decision to
(do something different)
_______ take a risk
Teacher & Student:
Take turns talking about the things that have happened to you.
Ask two follow-up questions.
Sample Conversation
A: I had an opportunity to do something l've always wanted to do.
B: Really? What was that?
A: I was working at a restaurant and I met a movie producer. He asked me to audition for a small part in a movie that became really famous.
B: Really? What movie?
Part 2
Conversation
Listen and answer 2 questions.
1. What happened to Louis recently?
2. What happened to Kristin?
Man: Louis, Woman: Kristin
Transcript
Kristin: Hi, Louis. I hear you’ve made a big change recently.
Louis: Yeah, I have. I just got a job as a photographer. ____
Kristin: Oh, wow. How did you get into photography?____
Louis: I had the opportunity to work with a photographer friend of mine. I learned a lot from working with him. I also learned that I wanted to be a professional photographer.
Kristin: That’s great! Congratulations!
Louis: Thanks! Oh, that reminds me, Ana tells me that you just moved.
Kristin: Yes, I did. I had a setback last month when I lost my job, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. I just got a much better job, and I moved to São Paulo. ____
Louis: I’m sorry to hear about your setback, but so glad to hear about your new job! ____
Example answer
- Louis recently had the chance to work with a photographer, and he discovereed he wants to become a professional photographer.
- Kristin recently moved because she got a new job in São Paulo (after losing her previous job).
Practice the conversation. Then find the best places to add the sentences below to the conversation and practice it again.
I didn’t realize you were a photographer.
I hope I can visit!
I love it!
I’ve always wanted to live there.
Kristin
Hi, Louis. I hear you’ve made a big change recently.
Yeah, I have. I just got a job as a photographer. (3) I love it!
Louis
Kirstin
Oh, wow. How did you get into photography? (1) I didn’t realize you were a photographer.
I had the opportunity to work with a photographer friend of mine. I learned a lot from working with him. I also learned that I wanted to be a professional photographer.
Louis
Kristin
That’s great! Congratulations!
Thanks! Oh, that reminds me, Ana tells me that you just moved.
Louis
Kristin
Yes, I did. I had a setback last month when I lost my job, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. I just got a much better job, and I moved to São Paulo. (4) I’ve always wanted to live there.
I’m sorry to hear about your setback, but so glad to hear about your new job! (2) I hope I can visit!
Louis
Part 3
Language Booster
Notice the different ways we ask about significant experiences and talk about important events.
Asking about significant experiences
I hear that + you just moved.
(Ana) tells me that + you just moved.
Oh, that reminds me, (Ana tells me that you just moved).
Talking about important events
It is one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done.
It turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.
It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
It was one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced.
Take turns asking and talking about an important event in your life.
Example conversation
A: I hear that something exciting happened to you recently.
B: Yes, it did. I ran a marathon. It was one of the
biggest challenges I've ever faced.
Part 4
Listening
Listen. Write the correct name under each picture.
Answers
a. Victor
b. Larissa.
c. Clara
d. Alex
Listen again. Mark the statements T (true) or F (false). Then compare your answers with a partner.
Clara wants to be a teacher. ________
Alex lost his job last month. ________
Victor is studying to become a baker. _________
Larissa got married last year. _________
Sample answer
- T
- F (Alex lost his job last year.)
- F (Victor opened his own bakery two weeks ago.)
- F (Larissa got married last month.)
Transcript
Alex: Hi, Clara. I hear you made a change recently.
Clara: Oh, hi, Alex. Yeah, I did. I took a risk and made the decision to go back to school.
Alex: Oh, wow! That’s amazing, Clara. What are you studying?
Clara: I’m studying to be a teacher.
Alex: I think you’d be a wonderful teacher, Clara.
Clara: Thanks, Alex. I think it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. So, how about you? What have you been up to?
Alex: Me? Well, I faced a challenge last year, and I lost my job. Half of the employees at my company got laid off.
Clara: Oh, no! That’s a shame. You’re in sales, right?
Alex: Yes, that’s right. Being unemployed for a year was one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced. But I had a great opportunity last week. I ran into an old friend, and he offered me a job at his company. I start on Monday.
Clara: That’s great! Congratulations!
[pause]
Larissa: Hey, Victor. How are you?
Victor: Hi, Larissa. I’m doing well, thanks.
Larissa: I’m surprised to see you at a bakery in the middle of the afternoon. You’re usually at the office in the afternoons, aren’t you?
Victor: Well, I decided to take a risk and start my own business.
Larissa: Oh, wow! That’s really brave of you.
Victor: It was scary, but starting my own business is one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done.
Larissa: What is your new business?
Victor: This bakery! We just opened two weeks ago.
Larissa: Really? Congratulations! It’s a really nice place.
Victor: Thanks, Larissa. I’m really happy with how it’s going.
Larissa: How did you decide to open a bakery?
Victor: Well, I got into baking a couple of years ago, just for fun, but I ended up really enjoying it. Then a few months ago, I decided it was time for me to make a change. Oh, that reminds me, I hear that you just made a change, too.
Larissa: Yes, I did. I got married last month.
Victor: That’s great! Congratulations! Let’s have a piece of cake to celebrate.
Larissa: Thanks, I’d love to
Part 5
Speak with confidence
Complete each story below with your own idea. Think of the most exciting and challenging things you can. Then share and respond to stories with your partner.
I faced a challenge. ______________________________________
I overcame an obstacle. __________________________________
I took a risk. I made the decision to _______________________